Ben Polling is set to make his second attempt at the Randox Grand National with Twigg after an exciting victory in the Betcher Chase at Aintree. The 10-year-old horse, owned by Georgia Morgan and ridden by her son Beau, once again demonstrated his affinity for jumping fences by finishing 10th in the prestigious steeplechase last April, narrowly edging out Mr Vango in a close contest on Merseyside.
Twigg now qualifies for a lucrative £500,000 bonus offered by William Hill for winning both a major Grand National Trial and the main event, and Polling is prepared to take the gamble. He stated, “It was a fantastic day at Aintree, especially for the Morgan family and Beau. Twigg has consistently worked hard throughout his career, with many expecting this to be his final win at this level, yet he keeps surprising everyone.”
Polling expressed satisfaction with Twigg’s performance and jumping, noting that the horse would return to try his luck in the Nationals again. Initially, it wasn’t part of the season plan, given last year’s Nationals showing where Twigg didn’t seem competitive, but now with a free entry and the bonus incentive, he’s in the mix. Reflecting on last season’s National, Polling said that Beau’s first ride was cautious and although Twigg didn’t lose ground early, he couldn’t make up enough ground later. “If raced differently, he could be a contender. He’s a reliable jumper with no mistakes in National or Betcher and will enter the race looking sharper.”
Twigg gave Pauling a double win at Aintree, while Taurus Bay, an undefeated four-year-old novice hurdler, continues to impress. Although Taurus Bay is an option for the Grade 1 Formby Novice Hurdle during the Christmas period, his trainer prefers a cautious approach and has another horse in mind for that event.
Polling added, “I don’t think Taurus Bay will race on Boxing Day. He’s young and a bit fragile but has a promising future.” The plan is to potentially race him at Cheltenham or Huntingdon on trial day, then aim for a novice hurdle like the Turners. “He doesn’t need to run too early again; Formby is a suitable target, though I might consider Starmount, who recently won at Wetherby and is a horse I admire.”
Despite a disrupted preparation, Starmount has improved significantly and is expected to be a strong competitor against Taurus Bay. Polling is confident that the Formby Novice Hurdle will be a key race for both.
Fan Take: This update is exciting for horse racing fans as it highlights the thrilling potential of Twigg and Taurus Bay, both showing promise in major upcoming races. Such stories of determination and emerging talent keep the sport vibrant and unpredictable, fueling anticipation for the next big events.
